CURRENT APPROACHES AND NEW RESEARCH IN
MODERN SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
5
FORMAL-FUNCTIONAL COMPARISON OF PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS
IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK LANGUAGE
Bobonazarova Muxlisa Yomg’ir qizi
Shakhrisabz state pedagogical institute ESL teacher
+998880387071
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14835514
Abstract
This thesis aims to explore the formal and functional characteristics of
phraseological units in the English and Uzbek languages, providing a
comparative analysis of their structure, usage, and cultural significance.
Phraseological units, which are fixed combinations of words with meanings not
directly deducible from the individual words, serve as an essential part of both
languages, enriching communication and reflecting cultural values. The paper
focuses on the structural differences between English and Uzbek phraseological
units, analyzing their composition, degree of fixedness, and grammatical
peculiarities. Additionally, the study examines the functional role of these units,
including their use to convey emotions, social norms, and cultural concepts. The
paper also discusses the challenges involved in translating these phraseological
units and highlights the importance of understanding the cultural context to
maintain the intended meaning. The comparison underscores the deep
connection between language and culture, revealing the unique ways in which
both English and Uzbek speakers express ideas through idiomatic expressions.
The findings of this research provide insights into the intricacies of phraseology
and emphasize the importance of phraseological units in both languages as vital
tools for communication and cultural expression.
Keywords
: phraseological units, formal-functional comparison, English
language, Uzbek language, idioms, translation, cultural significance.
Phraseological units (PU), which are multi-word expressions with a fixed
meaning, play a significant role in both the English and Uzbek languages. These
units can range from idioms, proverbs, collocations, and set expressions,
contributing to the richness and complexity of a language. Phraseological units
reflect the cultural and linguistic peculiarities of a language, serving not only as
linguistic tools but also as carriers of cultural values and expressions of societal
norms. This paper aims to provide a comparative analysis of the formal and
functional aspects of phraseological units in English and Uzbek, exploring their
structural differences and functional similarities.
CURRENT APPROACHES AND NEW RESEARCH IN
MODERN SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
6
Phraseological units are combinations of words that, when used together,
convey a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation of the
individual words. These units are often seen as fixed expressions that cannot be
altered without changing their meaning. They are integral to daily
communication in both English and Uzbek, offering speakers ways to express
ideas concisely and effectively.
English Phraseological Units
: In English, phraseological units often take the
form of idioms, collocations, proverbs, and set expressions. For example:
"Break the ice"
– to initiate conversation or reduce tension.
"Kick the bucket"
– to die.
"Better late than never"
– it is better to do something late than not to do it at all.
Uzbek Phraseological Units
: Similarly, in Uzbek, there are numerous
phraseological units, especially proverbs and idiomatic expressions that serve as
a mirror of the culture. For example:
"Suvdan quruq chiqish"
– to come out unscathed from a situation.
"Aqlni ishlatish"
– to use one's mind or to think carefully.
"Yuragi shodon bo'lish"
– to be delighted or overjoyed.
These phraseological units share the same characteristic of having meanings
that cannot be directly deduced from the individual words within the
expression. In both languages, they serve to convey deeper meanings and reflect
the speakers' worldview.
A formal comparison of phraseological units between English and Uzbek
involves analyzing their structural composition and the ways in which they are
formed. Despite similarities, the structural aspects differ due to the linguistic
characteristics of each language.
Word Combination
: Both languages employ combinations of words to form
phraseological units, but the patterns differ.
In English
, phraseological units typically consist of combinations such as
verb + noun, adjective + noun, or verb + preposition. For example:
"Make a decision" (verb + noun)
,
"Big deal" (adjective + noun)
,
"Come up with" (verb + preposition)
.
In Uzbek
, phraseological units also consist of multiple words, but the
agglutinative nature of the Uzbek language introduces different structural
patterns. For instance:
"Yuzidan kulgi chiqish" (noun + verb construction)
,
"Bir narsaga qaramaslik" (verb + noun construction)
,
CURRENT APPROACHES AND NEW RESEARCH IN
MODERN SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
7
"Ko'nglini olish" (verb + noun construction with possessive suffixes)
.
Fixedness and Flexibility
: Phraseological units in both languages exhibit
varying degrees of fixedness. Some expressions are more rigid and cannot be
altered, while others allow for flexibility.
In English
, some phrases are highly fixed, and altering them results in a
loss of meaning or makes them unrecognizable:
"Break the ice"
cannot be changed to
"Break the water"
without losing its
idiomatic meaning.
In Uzbek
, some phraseological units also exhibit fixedness, but in
colloquial speech, there is often more flexibility in modifying phrases to fit the
context:
"Suvdan quruq chiqish"
may occasionally be adapted to reflect regional dialects
or specific contexts.
Beyond their structural aspects, phraseological units serve a variety of
functional purposes in both English and Uzbek. They convey emotions, values,
and worldviews, and they are often used to express wisdom, humor, or social
norms.
Expressing Cultural Concepts
: Phraseological units are an integral part
of a language’s cultural identity. They provide insights into the collective
consciousness and values of a society.
In English
, many idiomatic expressions focus on abstract concepts or
philosophical ideas:
"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush"
reflects the value of security over
potential gain.
"Don’t count your chickens before they hatch"
teaches caution.
In Uzbek
, many phraseological units are used to impart practical wisdom
or moral lessons:
"Bir kishi yig'laganda, o'n kishi kulsa ham, yig'lagan kishi kuchli bo'ladi"
emphasizes the idea of resilience and self-worth.
"Qo'ldan kelganni qil, faqat qalbni sotma"
teaches the value of staying true to
one’s beliefs.
Conveying Emotion and Tone
: Both languages use phraseological units
to convey emotions and attitudes in a more vivid manner. These expressions
often reflect the speakers' emotional state and help to create a particular tone in
communication.
In English
, phraseological units like
"On cloud nine"
(extremely happy) or
"Under the weather"
(feeling ill) are used to convey emotional or physical states.
CURRENT APPROACHES AND NEW RESEARCH IN
MODERN SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
8
In Uzbek
, emotional expressions such as
"Yuragi shodon"
(to be
overjoyed) or
"Ko'ngli ochiq"
(to be in a good mood) are commonly used in a
similar context.
When examining the lexical and grammatical structures of phraseological units
in both languages, it is clear that both English and Uzbek display certain
peculiarities in how these expressions are formed and used.
Verb Phrases
: In English, auxiliary verbs often play a key role in forming
phrasal verbs that are used as phraseological units.
For example:
"Give up"
(to stop trying),
"Put up with"
(to tolerate).
In Uzbek, the formation of verbal phrases involves suffixes and verb stems that
reflect the agglutinative nature of the language. For example:
"Tushunmoq"
(to
understand),
"Tushunib yetmoq"
(to understand fully).
Cultural Contextualization
: Some phraseological units in Uzbek have
equivalents in English, though the cultural context may modify the
interpretation. This is particularly evident in proverbs or idiomatic expressions
that reflect local values.
For example,
"A stitch in time saves nine"
(English) is similar in meaning to
"Vaqtida qilgan ishni ko‘p qilish kerak"
(Uzbek), though each reflects a different
approach to the same concept based on cultural perspectives on time and effort.
Translating phraseological units from one language to another can be
particularly challenging. A direct, literal translation often fails to convey the
idiomatic meaning and cultural significance of the expression. Translators must
consider the cultural context, the intended meaning, and the nuances of each
language.
For instance,
"Don’t put all your eggs in one basket"
(English) could be
translated into Uzbek as
"Barcha tuxumlarni bir savatchaga solma"
but the
phrase would be more meaningful in Uzbek as
"Bir joyga pul solma"
to reflect a
culturally relevant expression.
In conclusion, the comparative analysis of phraseological units in English and
Uzbek reveals both similarities and significant differences in their formal and
functional characteristics. While both languages use these units to convey
meaning, emotions, and cultural values, the structures and usages vary due to
linguistic and cultural factors. Phraseological units are essential for expressing
complex ideas concisely and reflect the unique cultural identities of each
language. Understanding these expressions is not only important for linguistic
study but also for fostering cross-cultural communication and appreciation.
CURRENT APPROACHES AND NEW RESEARCH IN
MODERN SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
9
References:
1.
Amiry, I. (2008). Phraseological Units in the English Language: Structure,
Function, and Translation. Tashkent: Uzbek National University Press.
2.
Bartlett, F. C. (2017). English Idioms and Their Usage. Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
3.
Gulyamov, M. (2015). Proverbs and Idioms in Uzbek and English: A
Comparative Study. Tashkent: Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan.
4.
Koonin, V. I. (2002). Introduction to Phraseology: Theory and Practice.
Moscow: Russian University Press.
5.
Nida, E. A. (2001). Language and Culture: Contexts in Translation. New
York: McGraw-Hill.
6.
Popov, A. P., & Nikolaeva, O. A. (2003). Phraseological Units in Russian and
English: A Comparative Approach. St. Petersburg: Nauka.
7.
Radford, A. (2009). Syntax: A Minimalist Introduction. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
8.
Sabol, K. (2001). The Role of Idioms in Language Acquisition and Teaching.
Prague: Charles University Press.
9.
Shakirov, A. (2016). Cross-Linguistic Studies of Idiomatic Expressions:
English and Uzbek. Tashkent: Tashkent State University.
